Last year, Turkey For Tots raised about $10,000 and was able to take 141 underprivileged children shopping at Wal-Mart to buy Christmas gifts for themselves. This year, they want to add more children to the shopping festivities.

“Last year, I had to turn kids away and that was really tough. I’m not a Marine, but I do believe that no child should be left behind,” said Heatherann Low, chairwoman of Turkey For Tots and the compliance officer for Renville Gaming, a licensed Illinois Gaming Terminal Operator. “This year, we have a goal of raising $14,000, and we want to take 175 children shopping.”

Renville Gaming is a sponsor for this year’s event, and will be donating prizes available for auction such as dartboards and golf baskets.

“We have kitchen baskets, date night baskets, family game night baskets, car detail basket from Country Chevrolet, neon signs, Holiday Gift baskets, tool boxes, cocktail baskets, dinner around town baskets, instant lottery baskets and golf baskets from Ruffled Feathers, Sanctuary, Old Oak, Prairie Bluff,” said Low. “If you can think of it we probably have a basket for it.”

This year, the children will shop at Meijer in Bradley.

The cost of a ticket, and all proceeds from raffles and auctions will go toward taking underprivileged children shopping.

Tickets cost $5 and that includes entry, two drinks, dinner and two chances to win a turkey just in time for the holidays. Tickets can be bought the day of the event. This year, the Kankakee Valley Beverage Association was given 100 donated turkeys from Meijer for the fundraiser.